It is my firm belief that the Nov. 6 presidential election is the most important of our lives. It will be a tipping point in American history.

On that day, Americans will decide if we are to be a nation in which the people are dependent upon the government, or a nation in which the government is dependent upon the people.

The lines are that starkly drawn, and the consequences of that day’s decision will bring lasting impact into each of our lives and into the lives of the next two generations of Americans.

That fundamental question and those clear lines of distinction have convinced me of the urgent need for citizens of faith and conscience to unify for the purpose of insisting upon our government’s attention to the principles of liberty established in the Constitution.

The hard part is determining an appropriate point of unity. We are a diverse people. Honest interpretations of Scripture or other sources of theological/philosophical thought leading to deeply held beliefs have formed hard lines that make it hard for us to agree.

Consequently, when a challenge to our religious liberty emerges as has been experienced in a recent federal order, vocal ones among us take up their various tribal banners and march their separate paths in numbers much too easy to ignore.

Then there are those whose banners remain furled. They are genuinely busy, are unaware of implications, are mistrustful of marching with strangers, are reluctant to take a stand, or in some cases, simply don’t care.

But, what if a point of unity could be found? What if citizens of faith and conscience could gather without sacrifice of theological/philosophical distinctive and in numbers that cannot be ignored? I believe we can.

There exist two places where citizens of faith and conscience can meet and make their voices heard. The first is the voting booth today.

We must vote. The Alabama Republican primary will impact the national political profile.

The 50 delegates at stake are potential king-makers. As a person of faith, I have selected the candidate who best represents the American ideals that I hold dear and for whom I will vote. For me, that one is Rick Santorum.

The second place is the Manhattan Declaration (http://manhattandeclaration.org/home.aspx). It is a remarkably crafted call of Christian conscience that endorses the integrity of marriage, life and religious liberty.

Currently, 520,433 Americans have signed it. I expect that number to rise above 5 million before late summer.

I urge my fellow Alabamians to join me in both places. It is time for men and women of faith and conscience to be heard. Our nation is at stake.

Mark Foley is a resident of Mobile. The Press-Register welcomes reader submissions for “Your Word” on topics of general interest. Mail them to “Your Word,” P.O. Box 2488, Mobile, Ala. 36652 or email them to letters@press-register.com.